New Orleans Saints Insider: Looking at the Offensive Linemen

The New Orleans Saints have had good offensive lines ever since current head coach Sean Payton has been with the team. His philosophy is it all starts up front with good protection and, for the most part, the team has given quarterback Drew Brees good protection. 

In 2010, the offensive line gave up 26 sacks, which is very respectable, and they managed to help keep the offense moving well up and down the field but couldn’t really help make up for the lack of a running game that the Saints had last season, which contributed to the downfall of the former world champions.

The following is a look each player that was a part of the New Orleans Saints offensive line in 2010. There is a look back at how much they played in 2010, how their offseason may shape up and where they stand heading into the 2011 season.

Charles Brown, OT: Brown ended the 2010 season as the backup to Jermon Bushrod at the left tackle position and played in just three games with no starts as Bushrod performed well enough and stayed healthy enough to not be replaced. You can expect Johnson to stick around through the offseason, and unless the Saints bring in some additional talent at the position he should remain a backup left tackle in 2011.

Jermon Bushrod, OT: Bushrod was the starter at the left tackle position in 2010 and he played pretty well over the course of the season. All together, Bushrod played in and started in all 16 games for New Orleans and played very well during the course of the season. 

Bushrod is going to be a free agent this offseason and the Saints have expressed a lot of interest in resigning him because he is one of their most (if not the most) consistent offensive linemen on the team. Expect them to do what they have to and keep Bushrod with the team for the long term.

Jahri Evans, RG: Evans started in all 16 games for the Saints and was a real rock on their offensive line. He was effective in both the rushing game and protecting Brees and should continue to be a fixture at the guard position for some time.

Jonathan Goodwin, C: Goodwin was the Saints starting center last season and he played in and started in all 16 games and was a true rock in the center of that offensive line in New Orleans. The reason why the Saints offense has had some of the success that they have enjoyed is due to the stability that they have offensive line and Goodwin is a part of that stability. Don’t look for him to go anywhere else next season. 

Carl Nicks, LG: Nicks was the Saints starting left guard in 2010 and like so many of this linemates, he played in and started in all 16 games for the Saints. Once again, that continuity kept this line together and helped to make it one of the best in the NFL, and the ability of Nicks to stay healthy was a huge plus. Look for him to remain the starting left guard in 2011.

Matt Tennant, C: Tennant is the Saints' backup at the center and the right guard position and he saw action in all 16 games, but he didn’t see any starts because the line remained relatively healthy all season. Look for the Saints to continue to keep Tennant around as a reliable backup and have him ready to go again in 2011.

John Stinchcomb, LT: Stinchcomb was the Saints starting right tackle last season and participated in and started in all 16 games with 16 starts last season. His ability to start and stay healthy is just another testament to the fact that this line has remained solid and an important part of the success that the Saints have on the offensive line during the past three seasons.

Zach Strief, OT: Strief backs Stinchcomb up at the right tackle position and being that Stinchcomb stayed healthy all season he didn’t see any action on the line. He will be relied upon to continue being the backup at the right tackle position in 2011.

Roger Allen, G/T: Allen was on the Saints practice squad last year and didn’t see any time on the active roster. He has seen some time on the active roster with the St. Louis Rams and with a good training camp next summer he could land on the active roster with the Saints.

Brian de la Puente, OG: Like Allen, de la Puente spent the entire season on the practice squad in 2010 and should be ready to see some action in training camp this summer.  He did spend some time with the Kansas City Chiefs and may factor into a backup role next season.

There shouldn’t be too many changes on the offensive line for the Saints this offseason (going into next season). They have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL so there isn’t a lot of work that’s required for them but they can always make some upgrades with their depth and solidify any areas that they feel need to be shored up.